The aim of this study is to compare the effect of aerobic training and relaxation techniques on quality of life in Post covid-19 patients with irritable bowel syndrome .
GI symptoms during active COVID-19 infection increase the chances of developing post-COVID-19 IBS. The risk of developing post-COVID-19 IBS increases in female patients. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant global concern and presents a major challenge for healthcare professionals and public health authorities. Gastrointestinal symptoms are observed in (11-61%) of COVID-19 patients, varying in onset and severity. GI epithelial cells express ACE-2, the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 impacts IBS pathophysiology by disturbing gut microbes. The gut-lung axis, influenced by immune system molecules, often links GI and respiratory disorders. Post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, IBS prevalence varies by region and study type. In Europe, it's 31%, in North America 16%, and in Asia 7%. A multinational study found a 3% prevalence, cross-sectional studies showed 13%, and longitudinal studies reported 16%. IBS affects 10-25% of the global population and is a common reason for primary healthcare visits. In the US alone, 2.4-3.5 million people seek medical help yearly for IBS. Recent studies across 38 countries with 395,385 participants reported a 9.2% prevalence. In Western nations, it's 10-18%, while non-Western countries show less attention, with prevalence reaching 35-43% in some developing nations. IBS tends to affect younger individuals more. IBS is the condition with the highest prevalence among gastrointestinal functional diseases (between 7-10% of the general population, globally). Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome by Rome IV. Prevalence of an Internet survey conducted by the Rome Foundation in multiple centers worldwide based on Rome IV. Asia, 1.3%-4.7%; Europe, 3.5%-5.9%; America, 3.5%-5.3%; Australia, 3.5%; Egypt, 7.6%; and South Africa, 5.9%. IBS prevalence is higher in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among Africans. It increases in the fourth decade by 32.1% and in the fifth decade by 31.1%. Besides known risk factors like female sex, smoking, and stress, previous COVID-19 infection is now recognized as a risk factor. Modifiable risk factors include abnormal BMI, smoking, rich diets, caffeine intake, and low physical activity. The rising disease rates, particularly in women, require in-depth investigation into their underlying mechanisms. While the exact pathophysiology remains unclear, factors such as altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity, microbiota imbalance, brain-gut axis dysfunction, digestive tract inflammation, and psychological factors seem to influence the onset and progression of IBS. So, the aim of this study is to compare the effect of aerobic training and relaxation techniques on quality of life in Post covid -19 patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Sessions will be conducted 3 times per week. Each 40-minute session will include a 5-minute warm-up involving fast walking, slow running, and stretching, followed by an active phase of continuous running. The running period will start at 15 minutes and increase by 2 minutes every two sessions until reaching 30 minutes. The session will conclude with a 5-minute cool-down of slow running and stretching. Exercise intensity will be maintained at 13-15 on the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion, with continuous walking performed on a treadmill.
Relaxation techniques will include slow deep breathing and mindfulness meditation exercises. The breathing exercise will involve six cycles per minute, with a 4-second inhalation and a 6-second exhalation, repeated for 30 minutes, three sessions per week. Mindfulness meditation will include a stress and pain management program with sessions starting at 10-15 minutes and gradually increasing to 20-30 minutes, three times per week. Sessions will be conducted in a quiet, comfortable space, focusing on breath awareness, body scanning, thought observation, and optional loving-kindness meditation, concluding with a reflection period.
Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University
Giza, Egypt
IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS)
The questionnaire consists of five questions; abdominal pain intensity, abdominal distension, life interference, bowel habit dissatisfaction and abdominal pain frequency. Each item can be scored from 0-100 (according to the value marked by the patient on the visual analog scale or the number of days multiplied by 10), thus the overall IBS severity score ranges from 0 to 500; which according to the original validation can be classified as: \< 75 healthy subjects or disease in remission; 75-175 mild disease; 175-300 moderate and \> 300 severe disease.
Time frame: 6 weeks
IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL)
The questionnaire includes 34 question concerning IBS's impact on psychological, social, and daily living activities. The scale can be subdivided into subscales such as dysphoria, activity interference, avoidance of food, health worry, image of body, social, sexual, as well as relationships. Items 1, 2, 4, 8-10, 12, 13, 16, 25-29, and 34 use the following response scale (1=not at all, 2= slightly, 3=moderately, 4=quite a bit, and 5= extremely). Items 3, 5-7, 11, 14, 15, 17-24 and 30- 33 use the following response scale: (1=not at all, 2=slightly, 3=moderately, 4=quite a bit, and 5=a great deal).
Time frame: 6 weeks
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
It is used to determine self-reported sleep quality and sleep disturbances for the preceding month. It is a 19-item test and consists of seven components: (1) subjective sleep quality, (2) sleep latency, (3) sleep duration, (4) sleep efficiency, (5) sleep disturbance, (6) sleeping medication use and (7) daytime dysfunction. Each component is scored from 0 to 3, and the total score ranges from 0 to 21. The Arabic version of the questionnaire will be used.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ)
The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) assesses an individual's subjective experience of stress, which is crucial for evaluating stress-related symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially in post-COVID patients. The PSQ includes questions about emotional, time, and social stress, with responses scored on a Likert scale (0-4). Elevated perceived stress is known to exacerbate IBS symptoms, and post-COVID patients often report increased stress due to ongoing health concerns. The PSQ can help identify stress as a key factor in symptom severity, guiding targeted interventions such as stress management techniques (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness) for better clinical outcomes.
Rana Hesham Mohamed Elbanna, PhD
CONTACT
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All groups will follow a low-FODMAP diet (LFD). The LFD will exclude foods that commonly aggravate IBS symptoms, such as those containing lactose (dairy), fructose (e.g., apples, pears), and sweeteners like sorbitol and xylitol. Female participants with a BMI of 25 to 29 will aim for a daily calorie intake of 1,800 to 2,200 calories, adjusted based on age, activity level, and metabolism, to maintain weight while managing IBS symptoms effectively.
Time frame: 6 weeks